Step spacer



y 6, 1969 R. F. DE ROSE 3, 2 306 STEP SPACER Filed May 24, 1966 Sheet 01 4 R. F. DE ROSE STEP SPACER May 6, 1969 Sheet Filed May 24, 1966 y 6, 1969 R. F. DE ROSE 3,442,306

STEP SPACER Filed May 24, 1966 y 6, 1969 R. F. DE Rosa 3,442,306

STEP SPACER Filed May 24, 1966 vo\\\\\ in Sheet 4 of 4 United States Patent 3,442,306 STEP SPACER Richard F. De Rose, 2518 Lawn St., Racine, Wis. 53404 Filed May 24, 1966, Ser. No. 552,583 Int. Cl. B65b 1/04, 3/00; B67c 3/00 US. Cl. 141-368 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A adjustable stepped spacer device used in conjunction with a filling tube. Said device comprises two cylindrical members formed with mating inclined step portions and having means to resiliently urge the members together so that the step portions engage one another. The lower of the two members frictionally engages the tube and the upper member abuts a relatively stiff spring which surrounds the tube and is interposed between the spacer and the filling tube housing. By relative rotating the member adjustments in filling height can be made without shutting down the filling organization.

This invention relates to spacers and more particularly to spacers having an adjustable length. The spacer according to this invention is particularly adapted, among other possible uses, for use on rotary filling machines of the type employed to fill top opening containers.

These filling machines normally carry a plurality of filling tubes mounted below a reservoir containing the product to be filled, means being provided for interconnecting the tubes to the reservoir. Each of the filling tubes has a lower nozzle portion. The containers to be filled are carried on a table rotating on a turret, one table being disposed below each filling tube, and during the filling cycle, the table moves the container upwardly so that the lower nozzle portion of the filling tube extends downwardly into the container top opening while the fluid flows down through the filling tube, and lower nozzle portion into the container. A plurality of spacers are provided each having an internal bore for receiving the filling tube in adjustable engagement. Each of the spacers has a first and a second member and each of the members have longitudinally inwardly extending portions forming a series of steps along the inner edge thereof. The steps of the first member are selectively registrable with the steps of the second member. 'Each spacer has a lower surface which is resiliently engageable with the top of the container so that rotation of one of the members with respect to the other causes engagement of the desired steps, respectively, for axially adjusting the length of the spacer to position the lower surface of the spacer with respect to the lower end of the lower nozzle portion for determining the filling level of fluid in the container.

That is, the extent of the downward projection of the filling tube with respect to the lower surface of the spacer is important for determining the height of the fluid level of the fluid being filled into the container. This is particularly important when different sized containers are to be filled on the same machine. Heretofore, upon conversion from one size container to another the spacer had to be fitted with a solid spacing collar of a certain dimension depending upon the height of the container to be filled, thus requiring considerable down time and the storing of a number of various sized spacing collars.

Further, in accordance with the invention a spacer is provided of the class described comprising a first member having a longitudinally extending through-bore and a second member having a longitudinally extending through-bore, each of said members having a hub portion and a plurality of longitudinally inwardly extending portions forming a series of steps along the inner edge thereof. The steps of the inwardly projecting portion of the first member are selectively registrable with the steps of the inwardly projecting portions of the second member, respectively. Means are provided for resiliently urging the members towards each other, whereby rotation of one of the members with respect to the other causes engagement of the desired steps, respectively, for axially extending or retracting the length of the spacer.

-A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a new and improved spacer assembly which effectively supports the lower nozzle portion of its corresponding filler tube, and effectively maintains a preselected spacing between the end of the lower nozzle portion and the lower surface of the spacer, which is readily and simply longitudinally adjustable, which may be adjusted while the machine is operating, which provides a substantial number of fine adjustment intervals for accurately determining the filling height of liquid flowing into the container, and which provides an effective seal with the upper lip of the container being filled.

According to the present invention, as another feature thereof, there is provided a new and improved spacer assembly which does not become sticky and ineffective due to the splashing of the filling product, and which is far superior to existing assemblies.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a spacer which is easy to install, compact, convenient, practical, reliable in operation and economical to manufacture.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as the basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. Several embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and are shown the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a filling machine constructed in accordance with the concept of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation partly in section of a spacer, according to this invention, in its retracted position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation partly in section of a spacer, similar to FIG. 2, but shown in its extended position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the spacer member showing the inter-relationship of the various components;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale of the second or bottom member of the spacer;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the first or top member of the spacer;

FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the second or bottom member of the spacer;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the spacer according to this invention and showing details of the component parts; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view, drawn to a reduced scale, of the spacer of FIG. 8, and showing details of the component parts.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus for filling containers comprises a tank or reservoir which contains the product to be filled into the containers. The reservoir carries a plurality of filling heads 12 which, in turn, carry a like plurality of filling tubes 14, each of the filling tubes being provided with a lower nozzle portion 16. A spacer assembly 18 is provided having a lower resilient surface or sealing ring 20, and having an internal bore, through which the filling tube 14 passes. The inside of the sealing ring frictionally engages the filling tube in order to provide a fixed distance between the end of the lower nozzle portion and the lower surface of the spacer, the lower surface of the spacer being substantially the same as the lip of the container being filled. However, this fixed distance is adjustable by lengthening or shortening the spacer. A compression spring member 22 is interposed between the spacer 18 and the filling head 12 to return the spacer assembly and the filler nozzle to its initial lower position, and also to urge the lower surface of the spacer into tight, sealing engagement with the lip of the container during the filling portion of the cycle.

The containers 21 to be filled are carried on a turntable 24 one being disposed beneath each filling tube. The empty containers are fed onto the tables by means of a star wheel 26 and the filled containers are removed from the tables by means of the discharge star wheel 28 and passed along to the main conveyor 30.

In operation the containers are fed onto the turntable 24 from the star wheel 26 and the table is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. The tables are cam operated, by means not shown, in order to raise the individual tables and containers a predetermined height for a preselected distance around the machine, and thence it is lowered again for discharging the container. The reservoir and filler heads are also mounted for rotation at the same rate of speed as the tables, and thus during the filling cycle the table lifts the container a specified distance so that the lower nozzle portion of the filler tube passes into the top filling openings of the containers until the lip of the container opening engages the lower resilient surface of the spacer. The spacer then moves upwardly against the compressive force of the coil spring 22 in order to insure accurate seating of the lower surface of the spacer and the lip of the container. At the same time the filler tube telescopes upwardly into the filler heads 12 and operates a sleeve valve disposed therein, not shown, for allowing the fluid to flow from the reservoir down through the filler head, through the filler tube and into the container by means of gravity flow. The reservoir and filler heads as well as the tables continue to rotate in synchronization while the fluid flows into the containers, respectively, until the level of the fluid reaches the lower end of the lower nozzle portion 16 of the filler tube 14. When the fluid reaches this level it closes a vent opening (not shown) disposed in the lower nozzle portion, and thereby discontinues the flow of fluid. Initially, for setting the apparatus, the entire reservoir, filling heads, and filling tubes are vertically adjusted to roughly position the ends of the lower nozzle portions of the filling tubes with respect to the containers to be filled. For purposes of providing a fine adjustment of the fluid level in the container, the spacer 18 is extended or retracted to position the lower surface thereof with respect to the end of the lower nozzle portion. It will be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention the spacer may be adjusted while the machine is operating without the necessity of closing down the operation.

As seen in FIGS. 24 and 6, the spacer assembly 18 comprises a first cylindrical member 32 and a second cylindrical member 34. The first cylindrical member 32 has a hub portion 36 and inwardly extending portions 38 having helically shaped inner edges with a series of teeth 40 thereon.

The second member 34 has a hub portion 42 and three 4 inwardly extending portions 44 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 7), each having a helically shaped inner edge with a series of teeth 46 thereon, the teeth 46 of the second member being selectively registrable with the teeth 40 of the first member, respectively.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sleeve 48 extends longitudinally inwardly from the hub portion 42 of the second member 34, and is provided with a radially inwardly projecting retainer shoulder 50 at the inner end thereof. A sleeve 52 extends longitudinally inwardly from the hub portion 36 of the first member 32. A radially outwardly projecting retainer shoulder 54 is removably secured at the inner end of the sleeve as by means of screw threads 56. The sleeve 48 has an internal bore which is of greater diameter than the outside diameter of the sleeve 52 so that they telescope one with respect to the other when they are in their assembled positions as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a compression spring 58 is interposed between the shoulders 50 and 54 in order to resiliently urge members 32 and 34 inwardly towards each other. This serves to retain the mating teeth 40 and 46 in engagement, and thereby prevents accidental slipping or movement of the parts. A washer 59 is recessed within the lower or second member 34, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The sealing ring 20 having a lower surface 60 is fixedly secured to the lower or second member 34 as at 62.

In operation the tables 24 (FIG. 1) move upwardly with the container thereon until the lower nozzle portion 16 of the filler tube 14 extends downwardly through the top filling opening of the container as shown in FIG. 3. The liquid flows into the container until the liquid level reaches the lower end of the lower nozzle portion 16 which contains a vent opening, and when the fluid covers the vent opening the fluid flow is terminated. It will be appreciated that the sealing ring 20 frictionally engages the lower nozzle portion 16 as at 63, FIGS. 2 and 3, and hence the end of the lower nozzle portion 16 of the filler tube is a fixed distance from the lower surface 60. In the event that a different sized container is being filled or a diflerent quantity is desired, the spacer member may be extended as shown in FIG. 3 or retracted as shown in FIG. 2 for purposes of varying the distance between the lower surface 60 and the end of the lower nozzle portion 16. This is effected by means of rotating one of the members 32 with respect to the member 34 to'cause engagement of the particular desired teeth 40 and 44, respectively, for axially extending or retracting the spacer. It has been found that a desirable step between teeth is of an inch. Also, it has been found desirable to position each individual tooth at an angle of the order of about 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spacer, and to position the row of teeth such that a line connecting the centers of the teeth would be at an angle of the order of about 23 /2 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spacer. These dimensions have been found to provide mating teeth which lock in their selected positions, but are nevertheless readily adjustable.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the invention comprising a first or upper member 64 having a hub portion 66 and three inwardly extending portions 68. Each of the inwardly extending portions are provided with a series of three steps and each of the steps have a flat inner cam edge or surface (70, 72 and 74).

The second or lower member 76 is provided with a hub portion 78 and three inwardly extending portions 80, each having a single flat inner cam surface 82, the cam surfaces of the first member being selectively registrable with the cam surfaces of the second member, respectively.

The first member 64 is provided with a sleeve 84 extending longitudinally inwardly from the hub portion 66, and the second portion 76 is provided with a sleeve 86, of a greater diameter, extending longitudinally inwardly from the hub portion 78. The sleeve 86 is provided with a radially inwardly projecting retainer shoulder 88, as best seen in FIG. 8. A radially inwardly projecting retainer shoulder 90 is threadably secured at the inner edge of the sleeve 84, as at 92, FIG. 8. A compression spring 94 is interposed between the shoulders 8-8 and 90 for purposes of resiliently urging the members 64 and 76 inwardly towards each other. This serves to retain the mating cam surfaces firmly in engagement and thereby prevents slipping or movement of the parts. The member 76 is adapted to receive a washer 96, as shown in FIG. 8.

As best seen in FIG. 8, member 76 is provided with a projecting nipple 98, biased by spring 100, for positioning same into apertures 102 of member 64 in the step cam surfaces, respectively, in order to properly locate the two members one with respect to the other.

In operation in order to adjust the longitudinal position of the lower surface 104 of the member 76, the members are rotated one with respect to the other to cause a preselected pair of cam surfaces, such as 82 and 74, to engage one another thereby causing the members to move apart one from the other, and by rotating the members in the opposite direction causing a different set of cam surfaces, such as 82 and 70, to engage each other, respectively, thereby moving the members toward each other for adjusting the distance between the lower surface and the end of the lower nozzle portion.

It will thus be seen that the present invention does indeed provide an improved aparatus for filling containers having top filling openings which effectively meets the objects specified hereinbefore.

Although particular embodiments of the invention are herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, further modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Reference accordingly should be had to the appended claims in determining the Scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for filling containers having top filling openings comprising a filling reservoir, a plurality of filling tubes, means connecting said tubes to said reservoir in fluid flow communication, each of said filling tubes having a lower nozzle portion, a plurality of tables for supporting said containers in position for receiving said lower nozzle portions in said filling openings respectively, a plurality of spacers, each of said spacers having an internal bore for receiving said filling tubes in adjustable engagement respectively, each of said spacers having a first and a second member, each of said members having longitudinally inwardly extending portions forming a series of steps along the inner edges thereof, the steps of the first member being selectively registrable with the steps of the second member, said spacers having a lower surface resiliently engageable with the top of said containers, whereby rotation of one of said members with respect to the other causes engagement of the desired steps respectively for axially adjusting the length of the spacer to adjust said lower surface of the spacer with respect to the lower end of said lower nozzle portions for determining the filling level of fluid in said containers respectively.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tables reciprocate longitudinally for bringing said top of the containers resiliently into engagement with said lower surfaces of the spacers, and wherein said filling tubes adjustably frictionally engage the internal bore of said spacers.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first member is a cylindrical member and said second memher is a second cylindrical member, and wherein each of said members has a hub portion and a plurality of inwardly extending portions forming a series of steps along the inner edge thereof, and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for resiliently urging said members towards each other.

4. A spacer of the class described comprising a first member having a longitudinally extending through-bore and a second member having a longitudinally extending through-bore, said second member having a lower surface resiliently engageable with the top of a container, said longitudinally extending through-bores being of dimensions to receive filling tubes in frictional engagement, each of said members having a hub portion and a plurality of longitudinally inwardly extending portions forming a series of steps along the inner edge thereof, the steps of the inwardly projecting portions of said first member being registrable with the steps of the inwardly projecting portions of said second member respectively, means for resiliently urging said members towards each other, whereby rotation of one of said members with respect to the other causes engagement of the desired steps respectively for axially extending or retracting the length of the spacer.

5. A spacer according to claim 4 wherein said longitudinally inwardly extending portions comprise three sections, each having a helically shaped inner edge with a series of teeth thereon.

6. A spacer according to claim 4 wherein said means for resiliently urging said members towards each other comprises shoulders positioned on each of said members respectively and a spring member interposed between said shoulders, said shoulders being positioned so that said spring is disposed in outwardly spaced relationship with respect to said through-bores.

7. A spacer according to claim 4 wherein the inwardly projecting portions of one of the members comprise three inwardly projecting portions each having a series of three steps and each step having a fiat inner cam surface, and the other of said members having three inwardly projecting portions and each portion having a single fiat inner cam surface, and the cam surfaces of one member being selectively registrable with the cam surfaces of the other member.

8. A spacer comprising a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member, each of said members having a hub portion and a plurality of inwardly extending portions, each of said inwardly extending portions having a helically shaped inner edge having a series of teeth thereon, the teeth of the inwardly projecting portions of said first member being selectively registrable with the teeth of the inwardly projecting portions of said second member respectively, a sleeve extending longitudinally inwardly from the hub portion of said second member and having a radially inwardly projecting retainer shoulder at the inner end thereof, a sleeve extending longitudinally inwardly from the hub portion of said first member and having a radially outwardly projecting retainer shoulder removably secured at the inner end thereof, the sleeve of said second member having an internal bore of greater diameter than the external diameter of the sleeve of said first member, a compression spring interposed between said shoulders for resiliently urging said members inwardly toward each other, said shoulders being positioned so that said spring is disposed outwardly with respect to said sleeves, whereby rotation in one direction of one of said members with respect to the other of said members causes the outer end surfaces of the members to move apart one from the other, and rotation in the opposite di rection of said one member with respect to the other member causes the outer surfaces of the members to move toward each other.

9. A spacer comprising a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member, one of said members having a hub portion and three inwardly extending portions, each of said inwardly extending portions having a series of three steps and each of said steps having a flat inner cam surface, the other of said members having a hub portion and three inwardly extending portions, each portion having a single fiat inner cam surface, the cam surfaces of the inwardly projecting portions of one member being selectively registrable with the cam surfaces of the inwardly projecting portions of the other member respectively, one of each pair of mating cam surfaces is provided with a projection and the other of said mating surfaces is provided with an aperture for receiving said projection for aligning said first and second members one with respect to the other, a sleeve extending longitudinally inwardly from the hub portion of said second member and having a radially inwardly projecting retainer shoulder at the inner end thereof, a sleeve extending longitudinally inwardly from the hub portion of said first member and having a radially outwardly projecting retainer shoulder removably secured at the inner end thereof, the sleeve of said second member having an internal bore of greater diameter than the external diameter of the sleeve of said first member, a compression spring interposed between said shoulders for resiliently urging said members inwardly toward each other, whereby rotation in one direction of one of said members with respect to the other of said members causes the outer end surfaces of the members to move apart one from the other, and rotation in the opposite direction of said one member with respect to the other member causes the outer surfaces of the members to move toward each other.

.10. A spacer of the class described comprising a first member having a longitudinally extending through-bore and a second member having a longitudinally extending through-bore, each of said members having a hub portion and a plurality of longitudinally inwardly extending portions, the inwardly extending portions of one of the members comprising three inwardly projecting portions each having a series of three steps and each step having a fiat inner cam surface, and the other of said members having three inwardly projecting portions and each portion having a flat inner cam surface, and the cam surfaces of one member being selectively registrable to the cam surface of the other member, one surface of the pair of main cam surfaces containing a projection and the corresponding mating surface containing an aperture for receiving said projection to locate the two members one with respect to the other, means for resiliently urging said members towards each other, whereby rotation of one of said members with respect to the other causes engagement of the desired steps respectively for axially extending or retracting the length of the spacer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,367,761 2/1921 Werner 1619 1,386,317 8/1921 Claassen 248354 X 2,711,279 6/1955 Day et al. 141368 X 3,183,946 5/1965 Tidwell 141371 FOREIGN PATENTS 751,432 6/ 1956 Great Britain.

EDWARD J. EARLS, Primary Examiner. 

